The intellectual strength and reputation of Sussex is proven by the quality of our research, through creative thinking, discovery and innovation. Our heritage of interdisciplinary working, across traditional subject boundaries, places us in an ideal position to address real-world research challenges, working together in teams drawn from across the University.
We have identified six interdisciplinary research themes, which build on our existing research strengths. These will help us set out Sussex's research identity nationally and internationally. They will reinforce our innovative interdisciplinary traditions. And they will help us develop the capacity to generate significant additional income.
The themes will provide a forum to foster collaborative working, and allow individual academic staff to play a role in tackling complex research challenges that, working alone, they would not be able to address.
The themes are interpreted broadly, and should be seen as evolving entities. They are as follows:
Citizenship and Democratisation:
freedom, violence and reconciling conflict in an insecure world
Theme lead: Prof Stephen Burman, School of History, Art History and Philosophy
E S.F.Burman@sussex.ac.uk
For more information go to the Citizenship and Democratisation website
Culture and Heritage:
constructing identity and culture through notions of memory and place
Theme lead: Prof Maurice Howard, School of History, Art History and Philosophy
E M.Howard@sussex.ac.uk
For more information go to the Culture and Heritage website
Digital and Social Media:
applying digital media to construct and communicate across space and society
Theme lead: Dr Caroline Bassett, School of Media, Film and Music
E C.Bassett@sussex.ac.uk
For more information go to the Digital and Social Media website
Environment and Health:
enhancing lifelong health and well-being by promoting illness prevention and improving the management of disease.
Theme lead: Prof Jackie Cassell, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
E J.A.Cassell@sussex.ac.uk
For more information go to the Environment and Health website
Global Transformations:
rethinking social adaptation in the context of changing environments and the global economy
Theme lead: Prof Alan Lester, School of Global Studies
E A.J.Lester@sussex.ac.uk
For more information go to the Global Transformations website
Mind and Brain:
unravelling the mind, brain and consciousness - from cell to self and personal identity
Theme lead: Prof Daniel Osorio, School of Life Sciences
E D.Osorio@sussex.ac.uk
For more information go to the Mind and Brain website
The themes will not necessarily map onto existing academic structures; they may be existing or emergent; they may be thematic, multidisciplinary or postdisciplinary. What they will all have is a combination of excellent leadership, outstanding staff, a vibrant postgraduate community, external funding support, a range of international publications, a breadth of peer-review recognition and well-established collaborations and strategic external partnerships.
Professor Bob Allison - Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research
